Clinton Senate Terms Marked by Few Legislative Achievements, Few Gaffes
WASHINGTON — Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in the Senate before she had even surrendered the title of first lady.
An anything-but-typical freshman, she surprised skeptics with how well she fit in to a chamber where reputations are usually built over decades.
She didn’t big-foot colleagues. A junior senator in the minority party, she put her head down and went to work.
She sought out the longest-serving senator in history, West Virginia’s Robert Byrd, to receive a tutorial on the art of legislating, even though he had been an outspoken critic of her husband during the impeachment debate.
She waited her turn to speak, and when she did talk, it was clear she had done her homework.
By most accounts she was seen as a serious legislator who tended to her state’s interests. She was re-elected in 2006 in a cakewalk.
But there is no blockbuster legislation with her name on it. No soaring oratory still rings in the ears.
Some campaign promises went unfulfilled, notably her promise to create 200,000 jobs in upstate New York.
Her vote to authorize the Iraq war and other moves toward the center caused liberals to grouse that she had betrayed her roots.
And the skills that make for a successful junior senator are not necessarily those that shout presidential leadership.
Citing the “cumbersome” rules under which the Senate operates, Clinton told an Associated Press reporter last year, “I’m somebody who just gets up every day and tries to push that decision a little bit further every day.”
For all her hard work, she brought baggage to the Senate that could not be shed.
Clinton points to her role in putting together $20 billion in aid for New York after the Sept. 11 attacks as one of her greatest Senate achievements.
fair and balanced, she has no experience, Mccain’s is tainted with bush experience…….
Are you kidding me, this tripe needs to be moved to the opinion page. There sure isn’t anything newsworthy or actually established FACT in here.
This article simply restates what I’ve been asking all along…Why would anybody vote for this person…for Anything?
Did anyone think it would be any different. I believe Obamas record will be about the same when revealed.
What confuses me is that Obama with absolutely no experience, none in the Illinois State legislature (and don’t make me laugh about community organizer) has sprinted ahead until now. Clinton has been respected in the Senate and Obama didn’t even get a chance to unpack and now he is running for the Presidency. Talk about jumping the line.
Let the record speak fo itself!
Well not to worry, around June 2008 she’ll be sent packing back to NY by the DNC, to fulfill her term as Senator anyways. Hopefully she will be able garner more “experience” there. Because so far, with her term as “First Lady”, attending tea’s and other various parties, and then again as a Jr. Senator, doesn’t show me has the experience, much less the best judgments to become POTUS. Heck she can’t even manage a campaign, how can we, as citizens of this country, expect her to be able to handle running our country??
I have to ask what Senator Obama’s legislative achievements were and what was the impression of him while in office?
As I searched the Senate website, the only things I ever find with Mrs. Clinton’s name attached to it are touchy feely bills that seem narrowly tailored, and not designed for teh benefit of the people of New york overall. Fruther research on some of the bills in fact indicate that they are in fact merely vehicles to funnel money to special interests. To characterize her record as a positive one for either the people of New York of the Nation as a whole is clearly misleading.
I do remember that there is a clip from Ted Kennedy where he stated that Hillary did have a major role in the health care programs for children that took place while she was at the
White House.. I also seen a clip that I cant remember his name but he was the main person in the notgations in the peace talks that Hillary played a major role…. SO WERE THEY LIEING…???
Where is Fox News with these clips….Please don’t let the American people fall behind in the information and the news as to the real Obama… You have won the respect of so many people for getting this crap out in the open don’t stop now. PLEASE
That is a nice portrait of senator Clinton. The headline is promising more than is delivered in the article, but showing her as a workhorse that will work the nightshift and will be down-to-earth without glitter and grand speeches.
After 8 years of lazy vacation president Bush II and even after the 8 laidback years of her husband, a hard worker would be a nice change of pace.
What I especially like is the following quote:
“She sought out the longest-serving senator in history, West Virginia’s Robert Byrd, to receive a tutorial on the art of legislating, even though he had been an outspoken critic of her husband during the impeachment debate.”
Some people will say that she does anything to get ahead, I say she is an honest worker who is prepared to go the distance. I admire a person that is prepared to learn to walk before he/she starts to run. Look up the article in the NY Times about Senator Obama’s days in the US Senate for a contrast…
CLINTON-SUPPORTERS: SO MUCH FOR HILLARY’S EXPERIENCE — SHE HAS NONE!
IS ANYONE KEEPING TRACK OF HER LIES? SHE LIED ABOUTH NAFTA, SHE LIED ABOUT HER FOREIGN EXPERIENCE, SHE LIED ABOUT HER DOMESTIC EXPERIENCE, SHE LIED ABOUT BEING READY ON DAY ONE, SHE LIED ABOUT THE VOTERS IN FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN, ETC.
THIS WOMAN HAS NO CHARACTER AND NO INTEGRITY — WHY SHOULD ANYONE SUPPORT HER?
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT ALL — WE HAVE ANOTHER GEORGE BUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VOTE OBAMA
“Clinton points to her role in putting together $20 billion in aid for New York after the Sept. 11 attacks as one of her greatest Senate achievements.” Bringing aid to New York City after the devastation caused by the September 11 attacks was no small legislative achievement!
Am still waiting to see her concrete achievement over her 35 years in the public service.Failed healthcare reform,greatest foreign policy disaster(iraq war vote) and an unnoticed member of the senate!
What about obama? good judgment on Iraq whom he ddnt even vote? Always “present”? GO HILARY!!!
I think all you media boys better look again. The record is clear for Clinton, however you’ve never looked at the golden boys record (BO). Hillary is an exemplary leader and all you good ole’ boys are jealous and envious of her. Get your damn egos out of the way and think about this country. Can’t stand it when your out shined can you? Brilliant women threaten the good ole boys. Shame on you all!!!
Yes, again we see that Hillary made comments about her past history making executive decisions and ability to step in the role as president based on her past years as the White House first lady. I am sure that most educated people knew again she was talking out of both sides of her month. She voted for the war along with Bush. Her judgement is in question. She tried for 10 years to get health reform and was was unable to do it. She cmpagained for NAFTA saying it was good for the American people and then in Ohio and Pa said she was against it. She agreed to the DNC rules regarding the primaries and then calls foul when Mi. and Fla violated the rules. Lie, lie, lie. She stood by her husband for political reasons on her part. Do white American women want a woman so badly that they will put the 2nd half of the Clinton machine in office?
If the Clintons are such public minded people why are they still in this race? I think that Hillary would rather see a republican win than be defeated by a fellow democratic. She can’t possible win this race. Is she hoping to take the nomination away from Obama who has more states, more delegates, and more popular vote? This would surely split the party and could possible destroy it. If that happens I know I would never vote for her. They are people with only their own agenda..To heck with popular vote. To heck with more states. To heck with more delegates. The votes in Michigan and Florida were not supposed to count because they moved up their elections, all the canidates understood this. Many people didn’t bother to vote. Why should they if their vote wasn’t going to count? Now since Hillary is losing, she wants a do-over. We had do-overs as kids when we played games and didn’t win….If Hillary has any class she will withdraw so Obama can concentrate on winning the national election.
I keep posting my comments, but they are not on the board. Anyway else having problems if you are not a Hillary supporter?
Hillary never plays by the rules. Hillary cannot tell the truth and the Clinton machine with all its favors owed can’t persuade Americans to vote for her. Let us see what she comes up with next.
Why not let the voters decide who should be the next nominee. Why wont Obama let FL and MI re-vote and whoever ends up with the most total votes be the nominee.
Sen. Clinton DOES have experience on BOTH Ends of Pennsylvania Ave.–What can Obama say??!!– ahhh, ahhh, he voted “present” over a 100 times in ILL legislature. He HAS NO experience, talk about a “thin resume!” Wake up America, the Obama campaign is behind all this trashing of Hillary so we don’t learn who Barry or is it Barack no middle name Obama is–Mr. Mystery Man–well the honeymoon is over, the Media and the people of the United States are on to you now–and the “outing” is still coming.
Sen. Edwards, endorse Hillary… Best Dem Ticket CLINTON/EDWARDS in 2008
I’m a Florida Democrat and if my vote doesn’t count in Primary, neither Obama or Hillary will get it. McCain will.
Vote as you see fit, but if we have to pay higher taxes. Well the Democrats already did away with President Bush tax plan. If more of your jobs go aways
Well just be proud that you help make that possible.
The most amusing tall tale by Hillary yet! How she ducked sniper fire when they landed while on a pre-presidential visit - for her husband, no less! Photos and reports tell it like it is. She was greeted by a small child bearing flowers. She wouldn’t know how to tell the truth if it hit her in the face.
Go Hillary!
Women always need to do 4 xs as well as men to be given any credit.
At least she did not spend most of her time voting “present” and allowing bills that she helped draft to die by backing away from them as they hit the senate floor.
So much for touting all these years of experience getting….. nothing done.
How could anyone blame Obama’s campaign for not allowing FL and MI to vote. Barack is not at fault for this. All the camps new what the DNC’s decision was and everyone agreed, so what is Clinton barking about now…. I know, she is hurting so she wants the rules overturned for her. She thought that she had it all wraped up on Super Tuesday, but the shocker is still taking its toll.
And, who are we spiting when we vote McCain and not a democrat candidate. Think about it.
Dear Fox, AP
A list of both Clinton & Obama’s sponsored bills are available in the Library of Congress, so take a look….For someone who has “barely unpacked his bags” in the US Senate, Obama’s record would be a credit to any two or three term Senator.
Clinton’s list is not going to convince you she has experience…its pretty light on substance, and inferior to Obama’s, even though she’s been there six years longer.
I encourage Fox News and the AP to do some homework and analysis for us. Shine the light on what’s there, so we may all be more informed voters
Tom V
The problem isn’t her relative lack of experience. Less than two terms of elected office over a 60 year life. The problem is that she claims to have such great experience because her husband was elected Governor, and President. That is his achievement and experience not hers. No doubt she worked hard to get him elected but holding the job and being first lady are quite two different things as we all know. Why lie, and manipulate the record?
Please start now to practice how to say ‘PRESIDENT OBOMA.’
Keny
Snoopy in Indiana - I agree with you - this is the 4th time I have tried to put comments
online that are against Clinton and FOX NEWS’ bias coverage - but they never get
put on line - FAIR and BALANCED is a myth - just like the myth that Clinton still has a
chance of winning.
If you haven’t figured out yet - “It’s all about me(Clinton)” - she and her husband don’t care
if they take the whole party down with them - they should be ashamed of tearing this party
apart - take your marbles and go home already.
Hillary Clinton has the necessary experience and the requisite resume to be President of the United States. She has lately come around as someone who is desperate, and will say or do anything to win and i believe voters are beginning to take note of that. Some antics being employed by her campaign and her surrogates are outright duty and i want to bet the Americans people can see through that.
Reading these blogs leads one to believe that most of you were still kids during the clinton administration. Go research the history of their whitehouse tour, and don’t say they fixed the economy. The economy didn’t recover until the republicans took over the senate and congress. Since the dems took back the senate and congress look where the economy went.
Why hasen’t the news people picked up Hillary’s combat lie; landing under fire, having to run bent over to the terminal to excape the fire. Never happened.
“her roots” ???? New York???? Didn’t she and Bill abandon Arkansas a while back because NY played better into their plans? We don’t need ANY more Clinton yaers in the White House. Scary thought having them represent our Nation again …. at the rate it the campaign is going, doesn’t look like it will happer, thankfully! Her (and his) exaggerated claims of accomplishmnets continue to be exposed and taken apart! We’ll get to enjoy John McCain in the Presidency for the next four years thanks in part to the continued in-fighting and the Clinton’s assumptions that they have a right to be back in the White House. Give up Hillary!!
Clinton only went after the New York Senator position, so she could run for President. She has doing this from DAY ONE.
Why would anyone expect Hillary’s presidency to be anymore productive than her Senate run?